Paldal-gu Illegal Game Machine Guidance Period Extended

Paldal-gu (District Chief Yoon Geon-mo) announced on the 12th that it is extending the guidance period for illegal crane game machines installed outside buildings, which was previously scheduled to end on the 8th, until March 31st.

Crane game machines and push game machines currently installed outside buildings must be installed inside building entrances (within business establishments) in accordance with the 'Game Industry Promotion Act'.

According to a district official, "In accordance with directives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, we are extending the guidance period to provide business owners an opportunity to make voluntary improvements. However, cases involving the provision of youth-harmful items such as lighters or women's undergarments, violations in the number of installed machines (3 or more units), or exchanging won prizes for cash will be subject to immediate enforcement action and referred to judicial authorities regardless of the guidance period," the official stated.

Meanwhile, providing youth-harmful items results in punishment under the 'Youth Protection Act' of imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 20 million won. Exchanging won prizes for cash or other goods constitutes prize exchange behavior subject to punishment under the 'Game Industry Promotion Act' of imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.